While Napoleon is talking to Lucien, Nicolas approaches you.

Worried about his fresh wound, you ask him if everything's Okay.

Oudinot smiles at your worried thoughts and says that it's nothing to worry about.

He also asks you if you'll be staying in Napoleon's Palace.

To this question, you reply that you'll be going with Bonaparte, therefore, you won't be staying in this place for too long.

He seems a bit confused regarding your decision.

Looking at his arm, he tells you that things can get pretty dangerous.

You tell him that you aren't ignorant about this matter and that you don't mind it at all.

Nicolas: "You are very courageous, I'll give you that!"

Y/N: "Nature kept me company for many years, you know? I'm used to it by now."

Nicolas: "I don't doubt it. You'll also be traveling with le Petit Caporal... I'm sure he will pay extra attention to you." (the Little Corporal...)

Y/N: "I'm sure he will too~" You say, quietly.

Nicolas: "Ah Oui!" (Ah Yes!) "You look both fragile and fearless. It's a strange combination, but a welcomed one regardless!"

Nicolas: "Many women would prefer to just stay here and live a luxurious life..."

Nicolas: "But knowing you, I am sure that a luxurious life doesn't satisfy you. Isn't that right?"

You nod at him.

He seems to understand you so well, even though you two only spoke a few times.

Nicolas: "I offer my assistance to you. I am a great shot! So, worry not!" He exclaims in a loud tone.

Nicolas: "I'll ask Napoleon if he will let me personally protect you from any disasters that might occur during the battles we will face."

You tell him that his protection is much appreciated.

Asking him if he has ever been hurt before, he goes on and explains that he has been shot at least 12 times; and that he's grateful to be well and even alive at this very moment.

Trying to process this information, you can't help but be fascinated.

Surely, most men would retire after the 5th wound. Shot...at least 12 times? And he's still here?

But looking at Oudinot's visible wound, you worry about Bonaparte's health.

Oudinot sees your distress and assures you that the Emperor is the most protected person in the battles.

He was only wounded once, so far, when he was a young general. Stabbed in the thigh by the enemy's pike.

Since then, he suffered no other wounds. Especially now, being the most protected person on the battlefields.

These words relieve you from your anxious thoughts.

Although it's not impossible for him to be harmed, it's certainly difficult.

You start listening to a different language leaving the two brother's mouths.

Nicolas: "C'est Italien." (It's Italian.) "Sometimes they speak to each other in their native language."

Y/N: "I see... I thought he was French."

Nicolas: "He is, oui." (He is, yes.) "But in Corsica, Italian is still the native language, despite it being french territory."

You nod and you continue to listen to these new words coming out of their mouths.

So far, you've only listened to English, French and some other languages but never Italian.

Perhaps it's Napoleon's handsome aura captivating you, but why must this man know such beautiful and romantic languages? He makes it hard not to fall in love with him.

They finish talking to each other, and it seems that it's Nicolas' turn to speak to the Emperor.

Oudinot proceeds to walk towards Bonaparte, and Lucien, eyeing you, comes and greets you.

He seems a bit angry, maybe because of his previous conversation with his brother.

But soon smiles at you.

He comes closer to you and grabs both of your hands.

Lucien: "I missed you but I'm happy you are doing fine."

You quickly, and discretely, put your hands away, hiding them behind your back.

Y/N: "I am doing more than fine...! Huh- Didn't the Emperor told you?"

Lucien: "About what?"

Y/N: "We... we are intimate with each other."

Lucien: "You and-"

You interrupt him.

Y/N: "Me and Napoleon."

His facial expression is quickly haunted with a surprised look.

Napoleon overhears your conversation and looks at you both.

Lucien eyes him back. Napoleon makes a stop gesture with his hand while hearing Nicolas talking, and so Oudinot suddenly stops his words from leaving his mouth.

Bonaparte then starts walking in your direction.

While walking towards you two, he meets Lucien's words.

Lucien: "You can't be serious! Even if she's a mistress, she can't stay with you!"

The Emperor stays silent. He only starts talking when he reaches you; with one hand behind his back, he uses the other one to hold your hand gently.

Napoleon: "I am the Emperor, Lucien. I get to choose which woman I want to be with." He looks at you.

Lucien: "Napoleon! She is poor, she's also not French!" He exclaims this while pointing at you.

Napoleon: "Why does that matter?"

Lucien: "What will our people think?... OUR Emperor, with a woman who isn't related to any Royal Families. Who can't speak French."

Lucien: "Who dresses up like men!" After yelling these words, Nicolas eyes him from the distance with an angry look on his face, as if offended.

Lucien: "This is no woman for an Emperor, you know it."

Napoleon: "I know you are against me being an Emperor, but I will not abdicate; if that's your plan."

Napoleon: "And she is not a mistress or a mere lover, you know that too."

Lucien: "We've talked about this. You are going to marry the Austrian archduchess."

Lucien: "She is the best option for an Emperor in your position. All the marshalls agree with me!" Looking at Nicolas, he corrects himself.

Lucien: "Maybe not all of them, but most of them do."

Napoleon: "Fermare!" (Stop!) He exclaims in Italian.

Napoleon: "I do what I must. If I must be happy, I must stay with her." He holds your hand tighter and locks his eyes on yours.

Napoleon: "If I must be unhappy, I must marry this Austrian woman I have never met." Lucien gives up on the conversation.

Quietly murmuring to himself, he walks away quickly.

But before leaving the Palace, he exclaims to his brother-

Lucien: "The least you could do is give her to me! Instead, you choose to embarrass yourself because of your lust!"

He closes the Palace doors himself.

Bonaparte looks over at Nicolas and tells him to continue the conversation he was having with him, later today.

Looking at you now, he grabs both of your hands and tells you that he doesn't intend to leave you.

You rest your forehead on his forehead; your nose touches his. He kisses your forehead and apologizes for yelling that way in front of you.

You give him a small kiss on his cheek, and you begin to hug him.

You tell him that everything is fine, and, while trying to relax the tense ambient inside the Palace, you whisper in his ear that he looks sexy when he's angry.

He chuckles at your words and blushes.

While saying your name softly, he loses himself in your eyes.

A servant quietly walks towards Bonaparte and you, and politely says that lunch is ready to be served.

Napoleon nods at the man and tells you to go eat; while he goes after Lucien to clear things up.

He calls Nicolas and tells him to keep you company at the table.

Next to the doors of the Palace, he looks back at you and says: "Je reviens bientôt, ma chéri." (I'll be back soon, my darling.) He then leaves.

Nicolas gestures you to walk in front of him, into the dining room.

Being there, you spot the table already filled with plates holding food.

You sit down. Nicolas sits down too, right next to you; you both begin to eat.

Oudinot looks over at you.

He starts talking to you, about what happened a few minutes ago.

At first, you seem distant, not wanting to touch the subject.

But then you start asking him questions, not only about the Austrian archduchess but also Josephine.

You seem uncertain as to if you are the only woman in Napoleon's life.

Nicolas: "Josephine... I haven't heard that name in a long time but this Palace is full of her presence."

Y/N: "Who is she, truly?"

Nicolas: "Le véritable amour de le Petit Caporal." (The true love of the Little Corporal.) "She didn't love him as much as he loved her... Most of us believe she only loved him because of his position."

Nicolas: "They met long before he was Emperor, and she didn't care much for him."

Nicolas: "But when he became the Emperor; jealousy consumed her. She was afraid of losing her position as the Empress."

Y/N: "Where is she now?"

Nicolas: "Paris. He still sends her money, but they are now divorced."

Nicolas: "Now, Napoleon is looking for an Empress, and, strategically speaking, the archduchess is his best choice."

Nicolas: "Until now, of course. He hasn't been in love like this since Josephine."

Nicolas: "I thrive for my country's glory and victory, but also for my Emperor's happiness. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here today."

His genuine words warm your heart.

You are, however, unhappy about this information.

If he is looking for an Empress, you might disappoint him.

Your thoughts are battling each other, in a never-ending conversation where they tell you that you aren't good enough to be an Empress.

Maybe it's best just to be a mistress; a close mistress.

Someone he calls when he's feeling sad, when he needs gentle fingers to go through his hair while he's laying his head on your chest.

Someone who tells him that it's okay to cry and that everything will be fine.

But you also want him just for you; you don't want to share him with other mistresses and lovers.

You've spent more years of your life living as a poor woman than inside somewhere you call home.

It truly is a difficult decision, difficult enough for you to want to avoid it, for now at least.

With these questions finally answered, you thank Nicolas for his help.

He smiles at you and looks down at his plate; he tells you that a woman like you shouldn't worry about these things.

Perhaps he's right.

Worry only when the time comes, don't allow your thoughts to eat you like this.

It is, however, easier said than done.